Iraq
(WaPo) Iraq's government tries to expel anti-Iranian terror group MEK, "although U.S. officials say they are in no hurry to change their policy toward the MEK, which has been a prime source of information about Iran's nuclear program." (This is very interesting as the US has been more or less allowing MEK safe haven. Perhaps a sign of Iranian over US influence?)
(LATimes) In the face of continued bombings, the Shia are clamoring for the Mahdi army to return to the streets.
(IHT) Maliki is warning he will be "ousted" by the US if the government doesn't pass an oil law by June 30. (He's holding himself hostage?)
(NYTimes) "The Army’s inspector general reports that more than nine out of 10 disabled veterans have been kept waiting for benefit evaluations beyond the 40-day limit set by the Pentagon. Some have waited up to a year and a half for benefits."
(CBS) "Three out of four — 76 percent of — Americans do not think the Bush administration has done enough to care for these veterans. A majority of Republicans agree with all Americans overall on this issue."
(LATimes) In the face of continued bombings, the Shia are clamoring for the Mahdi army to return to the streets.
(IHT) Maliki is warning he will be "ousted" by the US if the government doesn't pass an oil law by June 30. (He's holding himself hostage?)
(NYTimes) "The Army’s inspector general reports that more than nine out of 10 disabled veterans have been kept waiting for benefit evaluations beyond the 40-day limit set by the Pentagon. Some have waited up to a year and a half for benefits."
(CBS) "Three out of four — 76 percent of — Americans do not think the Bush administration has done enough to care for these veterans. A majority of Republicans agree with all Americans overall on this issue."
posted by mikevotes at
9:12 AM
4 Comments:
fyi: Iraqslogger is reporting that some members of the Mahdi army are in fact returning to the streets. Still unclear whether it is official policy or just a few renegades thoughlink
By
Matteo Tomasini, at 10:26 AM
Is it just me, or has there been a paucity of coverage of the president's Latin American tour?
Here's a great "reporters notebook" piece from NPR's David Greene. Bush is an embarrassment. A fool. It's like he's on spring break, displaying as much gravitas as you'd expect from privileged class, self-absorbed, frat boy.
By
-epm, at 10:50 AM
We now have rumors of possible US coups -- what other term do you use for the forcible deposition of democratically elected leaders -- in both Iraq and Pakistan.
I'm at a loss to understand how this would help the situation.
By
-epm, at 10:53 AM
Matteo, I saw that. My hunch was that it was local uncoordinated elements.
I mean, a section of the less disciplined Mahdi engages in kidnapping, extortion, intimidation, etc to make money. And, extortion intimidation would require showing up in uniform from time to time.
From the reports, they didn't sound like something authorized to me.
That's why I left it out, but I could well be wrong.
.....
EPM, The Latin America trip is empty. I mean, c'mon, a promissory deal with Brazil on ethanol?
It was intended to offer a week's diversion from Iraq, but news has overtaken this hollow distraction.
And, I'm not prone to believe either of the coup attempt rumors at this point. Neither seems likely to result in a better situation, so I think it's just threats.
But that's a pretty big weapon to be waving around, you know? And, I would think it would encourage its targets to prepare a survival plan b which cuts out the US as much as possible and that's a pretty bad result from a threat intended to force action.
Do we really want Maliki opening the door further with Iran or Musharraf plotting an alternate course with his radical countrymen?
It just seems counterproductive for what it might create.
Mike
By
mikevotes, at 11:17 AM
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